Are You Taking Any of These Collagen Products?

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• Lack of transparency in sourcing and processing — Some lower-cost collagen supplements use low-grade raw materials, including hides processed through industrial channels — so-called “tannery grade” hides. Reputable manufacturers use food-grade, traceable sources and disclose how their collagen is processed.

Many high-quality products use hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which are broken down into smaller units for ease of digestion. Other formats, such as properly prepared bone broth collagen, may provide collagen in a whole-food matrix that some individuals prefer. The key is transparency in sourcing and processing.

In my research, I discovered that roughly 1 in 4 leading collagen supplements fail basic quality standards. Some don’t even bother printing the amount of protein or collagen on the label, while others can’t (or won’t) pinpoint where their collagen came from.

• Lack of toxicology testing — Because many collagen products are sourced from conventionally raised animals, they likely contain heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium that accumulate in bones and hides. Independent tests in 2020 found that 64% of the collagen brands tested had measurable arsenic, 37% contained lead, and 17% had cadmium.² Third-party labs are available to test for all of these contaminants, but many brands don’t bother getting certified.

• Label protein can be spiked — When companies do test their products, some game the system. A common trick is “nitrogen spiking” — adding cheap amino acids (like glycine or taurine) that artificially boost the protein content reading. Lab tests measure total nitrogen to estimate protein; extra non-collagen aminos can inflate those numbers. The result? Even if a collagen powder’s lab report looks compliant, you might be ingesting fillers instead of functional collagen peptides.

If a product advertises a certain amount of collagen but doesn’t list any protein on the nutrition label, the true collagen content may be negligible. Mislabeling like this means you could be paying for collagen you’re not actually getting.

• Marine collagen is often a mystery mix — Some marine collagen products fail to disclose the fish species or sourcing method. High-quality marine collagen should clearly identify the species and origin of the fish used. If a label only says “marine collagen” but won’t name the species or source, consider that a red flag.

• Beware the add-ins — Finally, beware of collagen products jazzed up with flavors, sweeteners, and trendy add-ins instead of focusing on quality. I’ve seen collagen powders with artificial flavors and dyes to make them more appealing or marketed as “keto collagen coffee creamer” with lots of fillers. Branding and added ingredients should not distract from what matters most: a clean, well-sourced collagen product with transparent labeling and quality testing.

• Check for third-party certification of purity — Seals from organizations like National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), or Informed Sport provide a layer of assurance. Other brands may use independent third-party laboratories and provide certificates of analysis upon request. The important factor is verifiable quality testing.

• Analyze the ingredients — Look for a simple, transparent ingredient list. You want to see the source explicitly named. Avoid products that hide the collagen amount in a "proprietary blend." If the label doesn't reveal exactly how much collagen you get per serving (in grams) or doesn't identify the collagen source, put it back on the shelf.

High-quality collagen will often specify the trademarked ingredient if it uses one — for instance, VERISOL® bovine peptides for skin health, or Peptan® collagen. These branded collagen peptides usually have clinical studies behind them, which is a good sign.

• Verify the source — As noted, know where your collagen comes from — both the animal and how it was raised. High-quality collagen is typically derived from grass fed, pasture-raised cattle, wild-caught fish, or pastured chickens.

Marine collagen should tell you what fish is used and, ideally, be sustainably sourced. Bovine collagen should ideally be grass fed and hormone-free. The source informs the collagen type. Bovine and fish mainly provide Type I (and III for bovine), which are great for skin, hair, nails, and bones, whereas chicken provides Type II, more targeted to joint cartilage. Some "multi-collagen" blends include all types, but again, only trust those that are upfront about ingredients.

• Spot marketing red flags — Don't fall for over-the-top claims like "age-defying," "miracle cure for wrinkles," or "instant joint repair." Also, be cautious of gimmicky combos such as collagen infused with weight-loss blends, or collagen coffee with a laundry list of additives. These trends are usually about riding multiple fads at once. You're better off with pure collagen and taking other supplements separately if needed.

1. Make your own bone broth — Take the time to learn how to simmer high-quality bone broth at home. It's one of the best natural sources of collagen — when you slowly cook bones, tendons, and ligaments, the collagen breaks down into gelatin that enriches the broth. I recommend using bones from grass fed beef, pastured poultry, or wild-caught fish. Throw in vegetables and herbs for additional minerals and dietary fiber (plus flavor!).

2. Eat collagen-rich cuts — Don't shy away from cuts of meat that naturally contain a lot of connective tissue. Beef shanks, oxtail, osso buco, and pork knuckles are loaded with collagen that releases during cooking. These "odd bits" are often cheaper and, when cooked low and slow, they yield tender, flavorful meals and gelatin-rich sauces.

If those are too adventurous for your palate, even choosing bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs is a good way to get extra collagen, provided you eat the skin and gnaw on the bones. The skin and connective tissue around the joints are rich in collagen. Slow-cooker stews, braised meats, and soups made with these cuts will also boost your collagen intake significantly.

3. Consume organ meats — Organ meats like liver and heart contain connective tissue and collagen, not to mention a wealth of micronutrients. Organ meat may not be everyone's favorite, but when prepared well, they can be delicious and incredibly nourishing. Always source organ meats from clean, pasture-raised animals to minimize toxin exposure.

4. Leave the skin on your fish — If you enjoy seafood, here's a simple hack — when you cook salmon, trout, or cod, eat the skin. The skin of fish (especially wild-caught fatty fish) is rich in Type I collagen. Crispy salmon skin can be a real treat when cooked right.

Similarly, if you make fish soup or stew, include fish heads or skin in the broth. They'll dissolve down to add collagen (and great body) to your dish. Just be sure your fish is from unpolluted waters to avoid heavy metals. Smaller wild fish like sardines are a safe bet, and you can eat them whole, bones and skin included, for collagen and calcium.

• Ancient Nutrition — Thank you so much for reaching out and for the opportunity to provide additional information for your upcoming article. To address your note regarding testing transparency — we’re happy to share documentation confirming our third-party testing practices. Please find our Certificates of Analysis at the links below:

Additionally, lot numbers are printed on the bottom of each container (in white or yellow ink), alongside the product’s expiration date.

• Physician’s Choice — Thanks for reaching out! Our grass fed bovine collagen delivers 7 grams of high-quality collagen per serving. In regards to the moderate dose, our updated packaging recommends using the product up to 2 to 3 times daily, allowing users to easily achieve an ideal daily intake to support optimal benefits.

We’ve formulated this product with a proprietary blend of digestive enzymes and probiotics designed to support nutrient absorption and promote overall digestive well-being.

To ensure safety, purity, and potency, all of our products undergo third-party testing at cGMP-compliant laboratories that are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited. This internationally recognized standard confirms that the testing facilities operate with proven technical competence and use validated analytical, chemical, and microbiological methods to deliver consistent, reliable results.

• Live Conscious — Thank you for reaching out to Live Conscious. We appreciate your interest in our collagen product and the detailed review process you’re undertaking at Mercola.com.

I understand the importance of transparency when evaluating product quality. Our collagen product undergoes rigorous manufacturing and testing in facilities that are cGMP-compliant, meeting U.S. federal safety regulations. Due to confidentiality agreements with our manufacturing and testing partners, we’re unable to disclose the name of the third-party testing organization or provide supporting documentation.

We remain committed to complying with quality standards and ensuring our products meet all regulatory requirements, and we hope this reassures you about our dedication to product integrity.